L to R: David and Gill Mathers, Jim Durrant, Advolly Richmond who presented the award, Gwen Hines Chief Executive of Plant Heritage
© Plant Heritage
In 2024 The Mathers Foundation was awarded the prestigious Brickell Award.
The Mathers Foundation in West Sussex is home to three National Plant Collections of orchids (Oncidium; Pleione; Stanhopea & Acineta spp. & hybrids), including two that were rescued when their original Collection Holder was no longer able to maintain them. Chair Gill Mathers, Founder David Mathers, and Nursery Manager Jim Durrant (recognised as an Associate of Honour by the RHS last year) have been awarded for using sustainable growing techniques, minimal chemical use and for their active laboratory propagation programme of existing and new cultivar seedlings. The judges also commended the Foundation for using the 17,000 plants within their care to support research, including tracking, identification and photographic logging of all of their plants and studying improved methods of growing and propagation.
Since the foundation was established in 2019, Gill, David and Jim have worked tirelessly to conserve a variety of orchid species and hybrids that otherwise might be lost. Preserving unique collections of plants outside their natural habitats is becoming ever more important given the pressures on wild plant populations. They conserve three outstanding collections, with a further two planned. The Foundation has also received numerous awards from the RHS Orchid Committee in recent years and works closely with the Plant Heritage Sussex Group by hosting training courses, visits and events for members.